<p>@MTMajorCook I do believe the phrase they’ll “end where they need to be” is true for many, but by no means is it true for all. Reference all the kids that return from school, the kids that after a month or two realize their mistake… etc. And of course, we never hear about faculty complaints, but I am sure they make their mistakes as well. I worry almost as much about accepting the wrong school as I do about her having the opportunity to attend. </p>
<p>D has two friends from her HS in BFAs who are planning to transfer. (One is not going back after xmas) Another is unhappy at school, but is not planning a transfer, instead thinking of leaving school and just hitting the audition trail…</p>
<p>Do not intend to be a Debbie Downer here, but the kids I know who didnt wind up where they should be exceed the number I know who did: I can name more kids who: 1) Didn’t make the cut in a cut program; 2) Left a program after freshman year or less; 3) transferred to another program as soon as they could; 4) quit altogether and decided to do something else. So, cannot say I am a believer in the mantra at least not when applied to all auditioners. </p>
<p>However, of the kids I know who attended the schools that were “highly selective” often called “reach” schools here, the majority of those kids did stay, and did see graduation in 4 years. Probably has more to do with the level of commitment in the first instance than anything else.</p>
<p>My daughter applied to over 12 schools got into two BFA’s and ended up at her safety school. (BA) She discovered after the auditioning process was over that she wanted a BA route after all. I was sure she had made a mistake…but she loves where she is at so it looks like she was one of the lucky ones.</p>
<p>The vast majority of the kids I know in BFA programs (and with D graduating from a PA school we have seen a lot of them go by) love their school, whether it was their dream program, one of the pack, or their safety. I think kids are resilient, and they buy into what they are involved in at the time- after all, we love what loves us back. My D is super happy where she is. Does it follow that if she had chosen one of her other options she would have to be “more” or “less” happy? There is no way to know. I will take the fact that she IS happy, and run with it :"> </p>
<p>I think it really is individual to the kid. Some kids make most situations work and others have a harder time with that, dream school or not. Talent or not.</p>
<p>I know kids who got onto their “dream school” and are not happy. These programs are grueling and some days are just a grind no matter where your child attends. I have had very long discussions with my S about transferring (one if his best friends is seriously contemplating a transfer). There are certainly valid reasons to do so but I do not believe in “the grass is greener.” If the unhappiness is not caused (or perceived to be caused) by things specific to a particular program or school, it may be that BFA was not the right choice to begin with. My S is happy with the program he chose but I think he’d have been happy in any of the BFA programs to which he accepted. </p>
<p>I’ve never truly liked the “each kid lands where they are supposed to be” thing. I don’t even think there is just one place anyone is supposed to be. Hopefully, there are many schools where a kid can thrive and be happy. More importantly, hopefully the applicant has researched and visited the schools on their list and as best can tell (without actually attending) has a list of options that they could be happy with. If that’s the case, and we all know the odds and can’t predict the outcome at any one specific school, the end result is that the student should have options and these are ones they can be pleased with, even if not a first choice. </p>
<p>Then, once they land at the school, many are happy and thrive. But it is OK if that doesn’t happen. There could be a myriad of reasons that a student is not happy at their school and it may be the school, it may be rethinking BFA, or even rethinking theater, or any other issues. They need to know it is OK to make a change and that is not a failure. In fact, the eventual outcome of a change could have positive ramifications for them. Of course, every student should give their school a chance…a full year, in my opinion, before moving forward with making a change. </p>
<p>These programs are so labor intensive, that I’m sure it would be very difficult to make it day after day if you were very unhappy. Until the student “lives” the program and the school, how could they ever really know if the school is a “fit” for sure? </p>
<p>Speaking of which, still haven’t heard anything from Baldwin Wallace! haha</p>
<p>About students dropping out, transferring, being unhappy – I wonder how the percentages compare with non-MT (muggle) students’ satisfaction after one year of college. Are expectations of ponies and rainbows higher because of the grueling process the students have to go through to get in? I think there is an awful lot of pressure on these kids and as @soozievt said, we have to be open to the possibility that they might change their minds. Just my two cents. We know an acquaintance who dropped out after a year and is taking a gap year before reapplying closer to home as a dance major. I think her unhappiness was as much about being 3,000 miles from home as it was about the program.</p>
<p>@tylerjohn still waiting on BW here as well…know several others still waiting. @Divamamacita I had to LOL at your muggle comment! I think there are a lot of kids who don’t really understand just how grueling some of these programs can be, I think they really prepare these kids for the crazy life they are choosing. Better to find out year one if this is not for them.</p>
<p>Some people just love to perform, but discover when they get to a BFA or BA, they really don’t like the work. The good programs are not about a performance, they are about growing better performers. </p>
<p>Frankly, I think this happens with “muggles” too. </p>
<p>The only difference I think is that entering a BFA is a commitment to a major and a very specified program that is laid out for the student. Those who are unhappy with their major, and are a “muggle,” but are OK with their school, can easily change majors, and in fact, usually don’t even commit to a major until sophomore year. So, not everyone actually transfers. A BFA in MT student who is not happy with their program, may need to transfer since a huge part of selecting a school for such students is the program itself, not the university as much. However, no matter what sort of degree program one enters, there will always be people who transfer or leave.</p>
<p>I have only heard non-theatricals referred to as ‘civilians’ as in, “Poor thing married a civilian so she doesn’t really like to go the lake house on Mondays any more.” Harry Potter feels a bit…young…to provide this sort of honorific. ‘Muggle’ more definitively indicates a certain derision. ‘Civilians’ is…um…a bit kinder.</p>
<p>I don’t think “muggle” is necessarily unkind- it implies a group of people who have no knowledge or understanding of the “magical” world. I think it is perhaps a more apt descriptor than to say “civilian” which implies a military/non military- with the idea that the military is in charge. Wizards don’t take charge of muggles (unless things are going wrong of course) they just live in a different world- one the muggles don’t fully understand… sounds pretty much like theatre to me…</p>
<p>Just never heard anyone use that and have been hearing ‘civilian’ for over 30 years. The ellipses were meant to imply a touch of sarcasm at the suggestion it might be kinder. Also ‘straight job’, which implies theater jobs are…um…‘bent’, which they often are. Emoticon Emoticon Emoticon already.</p>
<p>@vocal1046 – I’m not a theatre person – so I probably used the wrong term. The muggle term just captured my imagination as @toowonderful described. Isn’t waiting for these audition results like waiting for an owl from Hogwarts?</p>
<p>And, isn’t shopping at La Duca’s like going to Ollivanders to get your wand? 
</p>
<p>This is all pretty funny. I only used “muggles” to pick up on an earlier post and thought it was a rather cute reference under the circumstances.</p>